Switch box



Sept. 4, 1934.

A. B. RYPlNSKl SWITCH BOX Filed Jan. 6, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORQ41. BE/e rfi/FyP/NJ/fl.

BY HIS ATTORNEYS P 1934- A. B. RYPINSKI 1,972,245

SWITCH BOX IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII4IIII'IIIIII'ICVll'll'llll r INVENTOR A4BEETE frP/NJKA BY ms ATTORNEYS Sept. 4, 1934. A. B. RYPlNSKl SWITCH BOXFiled Jan. 6, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 R O T N E V m BY HIS ATTORNEYS Sept.4, 1934. A. B. RYPINSKI SWITCH BOX 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 6, 1932INVENTOR 144 saw-5 B P/Na/w.

BY HIS ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 4, 1934 SWETCH BOX Albert E. Rypinslri,Laurelton, Long llsland, N. .1 assignor to Metropolitan DeviceCorporation,

Brooklyn, N. F.

Application .luary 6, 1932, Serial No. 584,,tl3

cut-outs for supplying customers with current in till boxes or similarenclosures. Such switches usually have fuses adjacent thereto. There maybe one or more switches with a corresponding number of iuses. It isdesirable to have both the switches and fuses enclosed, the switchesbeing under lock and seal so as to be accessible only to the companysinspectors, but with the fuses acv 'cessible to the customer when theswitch is open so as to permit changing of fuses without access to theswitches. ,This is to prevent accidental contacts or intentionalcontacts with the live wire for the purpose of stealing current.

My invention provides a structure of this sort which has advantages insimplicity of mechanism and in certain capabilities of operationreferred to in detail hereinafter.

The accompanying drawings illustrate an embodiment of the invention.

Figs. 1 and 2 are respectively perspective views showing the positionfirst with the switch open and the fuses enclosed, and second, with thefuses exposed for access;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation oi the box open, the switch being in theclosed position;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line -4 of Fig. 3, but with the box closed;

5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Figs. 6, 7 and 3 are respectively sections on the line 6-t oi Fig. iwith the mechanism in three successive positions; r

Fig. 9 is a section on the line 9-9 of Fig. c;

Fig. 10 is a section of the same apprommately on the line lit-i0 of Mg.9;

Fig. 11 is a perspective of certain parts separated from one another forclearness.

Fig. 12 is a detail perspective view illustrating the switch blade andits rotary insulated carrier;

Fig. 13 s a fragmentary view illustrating a modification;

Figs. 14 and iii are sectional views on the cor respondingly numberedlines at Fig. 13. 4

Fig. 16 is a view illustrating a locking device similar to Fig. 13 butwithout the spring blade shown therein.

Fig. 17 illustrates a further modification.

, Referring to the embodiment of the inven== tion illustrated, theelectrical devices are car= ried in a box having vertical side walls ll,top and bottom walls 12- and a back well it (Fig. 4). A box cover 14 hasflanges l5 fitting over the side and end walls and is hinged at one edgeas at it. It has a locking mech consisting of a member it fastened onthe free end oi the box, projecting upward through a slot 18 in thecover and slotted at the outside for the passage of a pivoted latch 19,the perforated end 20 of which receives a seal or padlock.

The box cover has an opening 21 located over the electrical devices. Onthe inner side of the cover is a plate 22 with openings 23 giving accessseparately to the two fuses. The opening in the box cover is normallyclosed by a fuse cover 24 which is hinged at its upper edge so that itmay cover the fuses as in F g. 1, or expose them for access as in Fig.2.

On the outside of the box is a hand lever 25 which controls the switchand thecovering and uncovering oi the fuses. In the dotted line positionof this handle in Fig. l the switch is closed and the fuse cover 24 isalso closed. In the second position or" the lever shown in full lines inFig. l, the switch is open but the fuses arestill covered so as toprotect them from dirt or accidental injury. In the third position shownin Fig. 2, the switch is open and the fuse cover is open to permitchanging fuses. In all positions of the handle the switch and the liveterminals are closed against access until the switch cover or box cover14,15 opened by an authorized person. The opening of the cover 24exposes only the fuse (with which may be included wires, links,terminals and the like, which may be adjacent thereto but which are deadwhen exposed, but not including the switch and the live terminals).

The handle 25 is a heavy wire loop which extends into the box andoperates the switch and. also the mechanism by which the fuse-cover iscontrolled. The details oi this mechanism are shown in Fig. ll. Set inthe opening in the side wall ll of the box is a rotating membercomprising outer and inner plates 26 and 27 respectively, betweenwhichis a journal disc 28. The horizontal portion 29 of the handle extendsthrough notches so and 31 of the plates and is bent over the inner faceoi the plate 27 in a ring 32. On the inner face of this ring is a plate33 of larger diameter. The parts referred do are fastened firmlytogether by means of bolts 34 so that when the handle is pulled down theentire assembly is rocked about the center 33 of the plate 33. Thisplate has a sector shaped opening 35. A ball 36 passes below the blockof electrical devices and has arms 37 at the ends of which are shorttrunnions 38. One of these trunnions 38 is pivoted directly in the lefthand wall 11 (Fig. a) of the box. The right hand as to lock the part 40by the disc 33.

arm 37 lies in the sector shaped opening 35 of the plate 33, with thetrunnion 38 lying in the center and entering openings 39 and 39 (Fig.11) in the plates 2'7 and 28-. The bail 36 is drawn forward by a tensionspring 39 fastened at its forward end on the plate 33.

As the plate is rocked -from the position of Fig. 6, the spring drawsthe bail forward '(against the friction of the switch contacts) untilthe switch blade is out of contact. The bail which has lagged somewhatbehind the angular movement of the disc 33 is then snapped forward bythe spring to the position of Fig. 7. During this switch-openingmovement the fuse cover is locked shut. Any further movement of the discmerely carries the switch blade farther from the contacts; at the sametime positively opening the fuse cover as follows.

The fuse cover 24 has an arm 40 at one side near the hinged edge whichpasses through a slot in the box cover 14, the arm 40 having a concaveface 41 which fits against the convex edge of the disc 33 and preventsthe rotation of the cover on' its hinge 42. The arm 40 has also one ormore teeth 43 at the end near the hinge.

The disc 33 has corresponding teeth 44 which stand in the position ofFig. '7 when the switch has just been opened. As the handle 25 isfurther advanced the teeth 44 engage the teeth 43 and lift the cover 24to the open position, Fig. 8. If now the box cover 14 is lifted, it willbe observed that it cannot be closed again except with the fuse coverarm 40 and the disc 33 in registering positions. If the handle 25 is inthe wide open position of Fig. 8, the cover 24 must open so that teeth43 will engage teeth 44. If the handle is in the first or secondposition, Fig. 6 or Fig. 7, the cover 24 must be closed so 7 Theprojecting teeth 44 in the one case and 43 in the other case preventclosing the box unless the fuse cover 24 is in correct position. Thedisclike plate 33 actuated by the handle and the arm 40 with its lockingrecess 41 and its tooth 43 may be collectively referred to as 2. Genevamovement. A Geneva movement is a common mechanical device comprising adriver and a driven part, each rotating about its respective center,

the driver having a circular portion of its engaging face which locksthe driven member while permitting partial rotation of the driver, andthe driver having another, toothed, portion which engages acorresponding portion of the driven member and rocks the latter as therotation of the driver is continued. This device is arranged not merelyto unlock and lock the fuse cover, but also to positively open itcompletely so as to permit replacement of a fuse, and to positively moveit from such a completely open position to the completely closedposition. And the switch operating ball, which has a lost motionconnection with the disc 33 through the slot 35 and spring 39 may beproperly referred to in the claims as a switch operating member, whosemotions are coordinated with said Geneva movement.

The electrical parts are carried on blocks of insulating materialindicated as a whole at 45 which rest on the side flanges of a trough 46mounted on the back 13 of the box and leaving space for the lateralswinging of the bail 36. Each block 45 is provided with a number oftransverse grooves. In the first groove is located a connector 47 withan upward extension 48 at one end which is bent down over the dividingrib 49.

Facing the contact plate 48 is acontact plate 50 bent down over theinsulating rib 51, the right end being connected to the terminals of acartridge fuse 52 in the usual way. Between the contacts .48 and 50 is aswitch blade 53 which is bent over the edge of a disc 54 of insulatingma* terial mounted to rotate in a recess of the insulating block. Thebail 36 engages a notch in the lower edge of the disc 54 and rocks thelatter so that the switch blade moves out of contact position and isreplaced by the insulating material of the disc, which extinguishes anyarc and permits a narrow spacing between contacts. Alongside of eachfuse is a forwardly projecting arm 55 extending down below one end ofthe fuse and bent to form a lever by which this end of the fuse can beforced up from between its contacts, thus releasing it for ready removalby hand.

This block combines in a compact unit (1) a I cartridge fuse accessibleonly from the front, (2)

a fuse lifting device, (3) a switch blade inaccessible from within thefuse compartment but completely accessible for inspection at the frontwhen the box is open, and (4) an arc extinguishing arrangementpermitting a small spacing between contacts. Two such blocks are shown,each carrying one switch and one fuse.

Additional means are provided for closely covering the entire exposedterminal, 47 and 48, of the live side of the switch. The plate 22 on theunder side of the cover carries on its underface blocks of insulatingmaterial adapted to fit over live ends of the two switches. The part 56of each block overlies the lower groove in which the terminal 47 runs.The part 57 is shallower, overlying the plate 48 and the slot in whichthe switch is carried and fitting closely down on these parts.

Various other arrangements of the electrical devices may'be provided,the means for enclosing them being correspondingly modified andrearranged; and various other schemes may be substituted for the sort ofGeneva movement by which the cover is automatically and positively.

opened by the advance of the handle beyond the switch-opening position.For example, instead of the toothed disc 33, Fig. 11, the wire 32 mightbe set in the same plane as the projection from the fuse cover and mightbe shaped and toothed to lock the cover or to positively open it.

Also, the cam and disc arrangement may be used for locking and unlockingthe auxiliary door or fuse cover without positively opening the latteras the handle is advanced beyond the first switch-opening position. Toachieve this variation we have merely to omit the teeth 43, 44 whichform the positive engagements between the parts in the final openingmovement. With these teeth omitted the fuse cover will be unlocked inthe po-' sition of Fig. 8, for example, and will be free for manualopening and closing, as desired. on small switches, it is a good featureto have the fuse cover open automatically. On very large sizes it may bebetter to avoid the positive operation the switch box is locked by alatch mechanism,

which in turn cooperates with the switch operating mechanism. The switchactuating mechanism including the disc-like member 33 used may besubstantially the same as that previously re-.

tee

.not automatically accomplished. switch is moved to the open position,the locking ferred to. This member-33 will be operated by the handle 25and there will be a bail similar to that shown at 36 in the otherdrawings. Some of these parts have been omitted to avoid duplication ofillustration. In this modification, the latch is pivoted at 61 to a wallof the box and its hooked end 62 extends through a slot in the cover 14and is adapted to be moved into locking engagement therewith by coactionof its tooth 63, which engages similar teeth in the member 33. The latch60 and the member 33 may be said to constitute the first and secondmembers of the Geneva movement.

When the handle 25 is swung to the left to close the switch, the latch60 will be rocked so as to engage the hooked end 62 with the cover. Atthis time, the projection 64 of the latch will ride on the periphery ofthe member 33, thus preventing the unlocking movement of the latch.Theprojection 64 of the latch is beveled, asindicated at 65, forcoaction with a spring leaf 66 secured by rivets 67 to a wall of thebox. This leaf has an outward projection 68 extending through a suitableopening formed in the box and engaging the downwardly extending flange15 of the cover. ,So long as the cover is closed, the

spring leaf 66 will be held in the outwardly flexed position, asindicated in Fig. 15, so as not to interfere with the rockinggnovementof the latch member 60. However, when the switch is swung to openposition and the cover 14: is open, the spring leaf 66 being no longerrestrained by coaction of its projection 68 with the flange 15 of thecover, will spring .into the position of Fig.

13. This will serve to prevent inadvertent movement of the switch handlewhen the cover is opened.

. In the modification of Fig. 16, the latch member 60*and the Genevamember 33 are substantially the same as above described. As the member33 is turned by the operating handle 25 it will be understood that thelatch will automatically lock and unlock the cover 14 depending uponwhether the switch operating handle is given a closing or openingmovement. When the switch is closed, the tooth 63 and projection 64 willengage the periphery of the disc 33 and thus lock the latch in theposition shown in broken lines.

In the modification of Fig. 17, the latch 60 is adapted to be movedautomatically to closed position,-when the switch is.closed,.the edge 69of a cutout '70 formed in an operating disc 71 being adapted to strikethe tooth 63 of the latch to close it. The opening of the latch,however, is When the disc will occupy the position illustrated, in whichposition the latch may be manually moved by rocking it on its pivotscrew. In this form of the device, it will be understood'that when theswitch is closed the circular part of the disc 71 will coact with theteeth 63 and 64 of the latch and therefore positively hold it in lockedengagement with the cover 14. The cutout is brought to the positionillustrated in Fig. 17 when the switch is unlocked, thus permitting themanipulation of the latch.

Various other changes may be made by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the invention as defined in the following claims.

' What I claim is:

' 1. The combination with a switch anda fuse,

-cover having an arm extending into the box and having a locking recessand a toothed portion, an external switch operating hande and aninternal plate rocked by said handle and having a locking portion toengage said recess during the first advance of the handle only and atoothed portion to engage said arm and open the cover when furtheradvanced.

2. A box for electric switch and fuse units having an opening givingaccess to the fuse only, a pivoted fuse cover having an arm extendinginto the box and having a locking recess and a toothed portion, anexternal switch-operating handle and an internal plate rocked by saidhandle and having a locking portion to engage portion, an externalswitch-operating handle and a plate. rocked by said handle and having alocking portion to engage said recess during the first advance of thehandle only and a toothed portion to engage the toothed portion of saidarm and open the cover when further advanced.

4. A box for electric switch and fuse units having an opening givingaccess to the fuse handle, a pivoted fuse cover having an arm with alocking recess and a toothed portion, an external switchoperating handleand a plate rocked by said handle and having a locking portion to engagesaid recess during the first advance of the handle only and a toothedportion to engage thetoothed portion of said arm and open the cover whenfurther advanced.

5. The combination with a switch and a fuse, of means for enclosing thefuse, a. switch-operating'handle, co-operative means between the handleand the switch, including a lost motion connection, whereby the handlefirst takes up the lost motion and then opens the switch during thefirst portion of the advance of the handle and cooperative means betweenthe handle and fuseenclosing means for locking the latter closed andholding it stationary during the switch-operating movement of the handleand for unlocking and completely opening the fuse-enclosing means duringthe continued advance of the handle.

6. The combination with a switch and a fuse, of means for enclosing thefuse, a switch-operating handle, co-operative mechanism between saidhandle and the switch for opening the latter during the first portion ofthe forward movement of the'handle and closing it during the lastportion of the backward movement of the handle and a Geneva movementbetween said handle and the fuse-enclosing means arranged to hold thelatter closed and locked during the first portion of the forwardmovement of thehandle and to positively open it wide during thecontinued forward movement and to reverse these operations during therearward movement of the handle.

7. The combination with a switch and a fuse, of a box enclosing them andhaving an opening giving access to the fuse only, a cover for saidopening, an external switch-operating handle, cooperative mechanismbetween said handle and said switch, including a lost-motion connection,whereby the handle first takes up the lost motion and then opens theswitch during the first portion of the forward movement of the handleand co-operative mechanism between said handle Ila-ll);

and said fuse cover holding the latter stationary of a box enclosingthem and having-an opening giving access to the fuse only, a cover forsaid opening, an external switch-operating handle, oo-

operative mechanism between said handle and said coverfor closing thelatter during the first part of the rearward movement of the handle andfor locking and holding it stationary and locked during the continuedrearward movement and co-operative mechanism between said handle and theswitch, including a lost motion connection, whereby the handle firsttakes up the lost motion and then opens the switch on its forwardmovement and closes the switch during the continued rearward movement ofthe handle.

9. The combination with a switch and a fuse, of a box enclosing them andhaving an opening giving access to the fuse only, a cover for saidopening, an external switch-operating handle, co-operative mechanismbetween 'said handle and switch, including a lost-motion connection,whereby the handle first takes up the lost motion and then opens theswitchin the first part of the forward movement of the handle and closesit in the rearward movement and co-operative mechanism between thehandle and said cover for lockmovement and locking it during the endpart of such rearward movement.

10. The combination with a switch and fuse, of means for enclosing thefuse, a locking device .for said fuse-enclosing means, an operatinghandle, co-operative means between the handle and said locking devicefor locking and holding it locked during the backward movement of thehandle and co-operative means between the handle and the switch,including a switch-actuating member having a lost-motion connection withsaid handle and a spring between said member and the handle which istensioned on the forward movement of the handle, whereby the switch isopenedunder spring tension by the advance of the handle and is closed bythe backward movement of the handle.

11. The combination with a switch and fuse of means for enclosing thefuse,-a locking device for said fuse-enclosing means, an operatinghandle, a Geneva movement between the handle and the locking devicewhich holds said device locked in the retracted position of the handle,releases and withdraws said device on the forward movement of the handleand restores said device to locking position on the backward movement,and co-operative means between the handle and the switch, including aswitch-actuating member having a lost-motion connection with said handleand a spring between said member and the handle which is tensioned onthe forward movement of the handle, whereby the switch is opened underspring tension by the advance of thehandle and is closed by the backwardmovement of the handle. 1

ALBERT B. "'RYPINSKI.

